Basing on extensive observations of the Saddam's fist trial, the Human Rights Watch "believes that the Iraqi High Tribunal is presently incapable of fairly and effectively trying a genocide case," the group said in a statement.

Saddam Hussein and his six other defendants, including his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, nicknamed "Chemical Ali" will face a second trial next week on charges of genocide against the Kurds, for ordering gas attacks in the Anfal military campaign.

"Genocide is the most serious crime there is, and it's essential that the tribunal conducts the Anfal trial fairly," Richard Dicker, director of Human Rights Watch's International Justice Program said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the group said it had conducted an extensive investigation in northern Iraq in 1992 and had concluded that between 50,000 to 100,000 people had been killed during the Anfal offensive in 1988.

"Our investigation showed the Iraqi government ordered the extermination of part of its Kurdish population. But individual guilt or innocence in the Anfal case can only be determined through a fair trial," Dicker added.

The Iraqi High Criminal Court is prosecuting Saddam and seven of his co-accused over charges of ordering killing 148 countrymen in a predominantly Shiite town of Dujail after a failed assassination attempt against him in 1982, during his visit to the town.

Since the beginning of the trial last year on Dujail case, three defense lawyers have been killed and the first chief judge resigned over allegations of government and political parties interference.

The trial has been adjourned until Oct. 16.

"None of the Iraqi judges and lawyers has shown an understanding of international criminal law. The court's administration has been chaotic and inadequate, making it unable to conduct a trial of this magnitude fairly," according to the group's statement.